The first team sheets for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season are coming in, with NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman unveiling a powerful line-up to host the ACT Brumbies in Friday's derby clash at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
And the defending champion Crusaders will be missing an All Blacks great for their opening clash against the Chiefs at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium on Friday.
Keep checking in for all the latest round one team news.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, kicking off on February 24 on Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
CRUSADERS vs CHIEFS in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm AEDT
Crusaders great Sam Whitelock will miss the season opener after suffering a head knock in last week's pre-season match against the Hurricanes.
"He just took a bang on the noggin, and we just felt it was best for him, and the doctor thought we'd give him this next week to make sure he's 100 per cent," Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
David Havili will start at fullback in place of Will Jordan, who continues to recover from a migraine-related condition.
Damian McKenzie will start at No.10 for the Chiefs after playing in Japan last season.
CRUSADERS (15-1): David Havili, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Dunshea, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Macca Springer
CHIEFS (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (co-c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Tupou Vaa'i, Brodie Retallick, George Dyer, Samisoni Tauklei'aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
READ MORE: Teenage playmaker Lynagh set for shock Reds debut
READ MORE: The 2am 'spanner' in Waratahs team bonding sleepout
READ MORE: Khawaja torched for casual response to Delhi debacle
WARATAHS vs BRUMBIES in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm AEDT
Boom NSW teenager Max Jorgensen has edged Fiji great Nemani Nadolo for a start on the left wing in Friday's season opener at Allianz Stadium.
Jorgensen is considered the Waratahs fullback of the future but coach Darren Coleman has instead handed him the No.11 jersey for his Super Rugby debut.
Nadolo will have to be content with a spot on the bench, while Tane Edmed gets the first crack at five-eighth - a decision which allows Ben Donaldson to start at fullback.
Charlie Gamble starts ahead of Will Harris at No.8 and will form a mobile back-row with Michael Hooper and Lachie Swinton.
But all eyes will be on Jorgensen, who spurned the advances of Roosters coach Trent Robinson to throw his lot in with the Waratahs.
"He's a wonder boy, Maxy," Coleman told Wide World of Sports.
"He's got lots to learn and there's still a lot of rough edges in his game and there'll be mistakes. But the sheer excitement value with the ball in hand - he is a pretty incredible talent... you've got to be smart about how we bring him on and how much pressure you are exposing him to and how often. But yeah, I've got strong belief that he's going to go on and be a serious player for a long time."
Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has opted for Jack Debreczeni as his starting five-eighth ahead of Wallabies pivot Noah Lolesio.
Lolesio has been named on a powerful bench that includes Test teammates James Slipper, Nic White, Darcy Swain and Lachlan Lonergan.
"Jack is a seasoned veteran now and he's just so professional in the way he goes about his job," Larkham told Wide World of Sports.
"He's got a really good understanding of the way that we want to play and he's got a really good skillset for that. He controls everything on the field really well and everyone listens to that."
WARATAHS (15-1): Ben Donaldson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Max Jorgensen, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Lachie Swinton, Taleni Seu, Jed Holloway, Archer Holz, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Te Tera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson , Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Jack Debreczeni, Ryan Lonergan, Pete Samu, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Nic Berry
MOANA PASIFIKA vs FIJIAN DRUA in Auckland, Saturday 2.35pm AEDT
PASIFIKA (TBC)
DRUA (TBC):
Referee: James Doleman
HIGHLANDERS vs BLUES in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT
HIGHLANDERS (TBC)
BLUES (TBC)
Referee: Paul Williams
REDS vs HURRICANES in Townsville, Saturday 7.35pm AEDT
REDS (TBC)
HURRICANES (TBC)
Referee: Angus Gardner
FORCE vs REBELS in Perth, Saturday 10pm AEDT
FORCE (TBC)
REBELS (TBC):
Referee: Damon Murphy
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney and Morgan Turinui preview the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with the coaches and captains from the five Australian teams
https://omny.fm/shows/between-two-posts-1/uper-rugby-pacific-2023-season-launch-special/embed?style=CoverFor a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
The first team sheets for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season are coming in, with NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman unveiling a powerful line-up to host the ACT Brumbies in Friday's derby clash at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
And the defending champion Crusaders will be missing an All Blacks great for their opening clash against the Chiefs at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium on Friday.
Keep checking in for all the latest round one team news.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, kicking off on February 24 on Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
CRUSADERS vs CHIEFS in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm AEDT
Crusaders great Sam Whitelock will miss the season opener after suffering a head knock in last week's pre-season match against the Hurricanes.
"He just took a bang on the noggin, and we just felt it was best for him, and the doctor thought we'd give him this next week to make sure he's 100 per cent," Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
David Havili will start at fullback in place of Will Jordan, who continues to recover from a migraine-related condition.
Damian McKenzie will start at No.10 for the Chiefs after playing in Japan last season.
CRUSADERS (15-1): David Havili, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Dunshea, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Macca Springer
CHIEFS (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (co-c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Tupou Vaa'i, Brodie Retallick, George Dyer, Samisoni Tauklei'aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
READ MORE: Teenage playmaker Lynagh set for shock Reds debut
READ MORE: The 2am 'spanner' in Waratahs team bonding sleepout
READ MORE: Khawaja torched for casual response to Delhi debacle
WARATAHS vs BRUMBIES in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm AEDT
Boom NSW teenager Max Jorgensen has edged Fiji great Nemani Nadolo for a start on the left wing in Friday's season opener at Allianz Stadium.
Jorgensen is considered the Waratahs fullback of the future but coach Darren Coleman has instead handed him the No.11 jersey for his Super Rugby debut.
Nadolo will have to be content with a spot on the bench, while Tane Edmed gets the first crack at five-eighth - a decision which allows Ben Donaldson to start at fullback.
Charlie Gamble starts ahead of Will Harris at No.8 and will form a mobile back-row with Michael Hooper and Lachie Swinton.
But all eyes will be on Jorgensen, who spurned the advances of Roosters coach Trent Robinson to throw his lot in with the Waratahs.
"He's a wonder boy, Maxy," Coleman told Wide World of Sports.
"He's got lots to learn and there's still a lot of rough edges in his game and there'll be mistakes. But the sheer excitement value with the ball in hand - he is a pretty incredible talent... you've got to be smart about how we bring him on and how much pressure you are exposing him to and how often. But yeah, I've got strong belief that he's going to go on and be a serious player for a long time."
Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has opted for Jack Debreczeni as his starting five-eighth ahead of Wallabies pivot Noah Lolesio.
Lolesio has been named on a powerful bench that includes Test teammates James Slipper, Nic White, Darcy Swain and Lachlan Lonergan.
"Jack is a seasoned veteran now and he's just so professional in the way he goes about his job," Larkham told Wide World of Sports.
"He's got a really good understanding of the way that we want to play and he's got a really good skillset for that. He controls everything on the field really well and everyone listens to that."
WARATAHS (15-1): Ben Donaldson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Max Jorgensen, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Lachie Swinton, Taleni Seu, Jed Holloway, Archer Holz, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Te Tera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson , Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Jack Debreczeni, Ryan Lonergan, Pete Samu, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Nic Berry
MOANA PASIFIKA vs FIJIAN DRUA in Auckland, Saturday 2.35pm AEDT
PASIFIKA (TBC)
DRUA (TBC):
Referee: James Doleman
HIGHLANDERS vs BLUES in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT
HIGHLANDERS (TBC)
BLUES (TBC)
Referee: Paul Williams
REDS vs HURRICANES in Townsville, Saturday 7.35pm AEDT
REDS (TBC)
HURRICANES (TBC)
Referee: Angus Gardner
FORCE vs REBELS in Perth, Saturday 10pm AEDT
FORCE (TBC)
REBELS (TBC):
Referee: Damon Murphy
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney and Morgan Turinui preview the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with the coaches and captains from the five Australian teams
https://omny.fm/shows/between-two-posts-1/uper-rugby-pacific-2023-season-launch-special/embed?style=CoverFor a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
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